Essipon, (W/R) Jan. 26, GNA - The Nigerian head coach Berti Vogts has said that the absence of Nwankwo Kanu in their match against Mali led to their inability to win the match at Essipon, near Sekondi on Friday at the ongoing MTN African Cup of Nations competitions.

"I will wait for Kanu, an inspirer and leader whose absence affected the entire playing body," he added.

Coach Vogts said this in an interview after the match in which the Super Eagles of Nigeria drew goalless with Mali.

Coach Jeanne Francoise Jodal of Mali, however, expressed satisfaction at his team's ability to hold the Super Eagles to a goalless drawn game. He said: "We had many challenges but we managed to overcome them except that we could not score a goal."

Coach Jodal stressed on strategizing to get a more formidable team that can beat any world-class team.